Competition Categories (each meeting includes 3 categories: Pictorial Color, Monochrome and one of the other ‘special categories’)

PICTORIAL

Images that use photography as an art form. All color and monochrome images not confined to any particular subject, type or style of photography.  Judging is done with an eye for interest, value, composition, technical excellence and visual impact. Subjects include scenics, close-ups, buildings, portraits, still lifes. Special techniques are allowed, including digital and darkroom manipulation, provided that the subject of the image has not been substantially altered. Members wishing to submit an image of a unclothed person where that person can be recognized must obtain a signed model release and show it to the Print or Digital Chair on the evening of competition. (This rule applies to all applicable categories.)

Human elements (people, structures), if present, should be unobtrusive and enhance the nature story. 

Flowers growing in gardens are acceptable.

Micro- or macrophotographs are permissible.

Still life studies, obviously set flower arrangements, mounted specimens, museum habitats or groups, derivations, or any form of photographic manipulation that alters the truth of the photographic statement are ineligible.

Common flaws submitters should avoid are failure to convey a nature story, and excessive man made objects included in the composition. Excessive manipulation of the image in post processing is forbidden.

In Nature the title is read before the image is shown, in order to inform viewers and the judge about the subject to be presented. 

The title of a Nature image should be the correct English name, Latin names are optional,  the title should be factual and descriptive, and will be read as shown. In this category, the subject (natural history) takes precedence over technical factors.

Here it is the story-telling aspect of an image that takes precedence in judging. The title is read before showing the image in order to aid the viewers and the judge to interpret the story to be conveyed.  Good titles should add to the story and not be a distraction. Obvious manipulation of the subject by computer or other techniques is not acceptable.

Here are a few rules of thumb:  (i) the image should present an instantly recognizable story; (ii) it should be of interest to the average viewer; (iii) it must show good technique (focus, exposure, etc.); and (iv) composition should be appropriate for the subject matter.

A travel image is one that captures the feeling of place and time, and portrays a land, people or culture in its natural state. It may be taken either in a foreign land or anywhere in one’s own country.

Excluded are ultra close-ups which lose their identity, studio-type model images, or images that have been obviously manipulated. 

The title is read before showing the image. It should indicate the location (town & country) and should complement the image. The image need not be immediately recognizable as having been taken in the location specified in the title. 

Criteria for success include:  (i) the image tells a travel story;  (ii) it is of interest to the average viewer; (iii) it displays good technique; and (iv) the composition is appropriate for the subject matter.

Examples include abstracts, impressionism and symbolism.  Techniques include computer manipulation, diffractions, distortions, “black light”, bas relief, montage, wild color, dye coloring (after image capture), multiple exposure, solarization, posterization, and multiple images with trick lenses. Also: motion blur, patterns, selective focus, zoomed exposures designed to yield non-objective or abstract images.